bay_alexison

just nothing quite worked well. Macy's summer clothes either belonged on a 90 year old going to bingo or not on sale. Did find one long sleeved tie-dyed thing left over from last fall on final sale. Got that. it's pretty but I needed it least. I want to replace my short sleeved dress shirts. Most are like 15 years old now.
No joy there.

Also there were SO many people on the roads for 2 pm on a Tuesday. it was shocking.

I'm still trying to work up excitement for the steampunk thing that I'm leaving for on thursday and I have none.

I forgot to share these badges for bingos at allbingo ( check them out )

So let me go back to one of my earliest (and my forever) fandom for fannish 50: Star Trek, the original series.

Let's be honest, there aren't a lot of women to pick from in the main cast. Uhura, Christine and Rand.

Yeoman Rand got the short end of the stick and sexually harassed off the show by a producer.

Christine is in a traditional female role of nurse. I liked her well enough.

But the one I really liked, especially now that I'm older and can appreciate her more (I liked Christine more when I was young). By now most of us probably have heard the story of how Nichelle wanted to leave the show after S1 but MLK told her to stay, that she was far too important to African Americans to quit.

We hear people joke how Uhura is just the space phone operator and that is unfair and reductive. She did so much more, especially in S1 (I did notice that when the censors and conservatives realized Star Trek was SO popular both Uhura and Sulu's roles were reduced to communications and helm. Even if all she did was communications, it was enough that she repped Black women as officers, as having agency which they did not have much of in the 1960s.

But Uhura did more.





Uhura was asked to - and expected to - take over the helm. Which she did. With no problems. She was obviously trained to do multiple bridge jobs. She could have been on the path to command for all we knew (and in later movies she was in fact a captain). Uhura was always more than a telephone operator.



In the next picture we can see her, weapon in hand and a look on her face that is not fear. Okay I'll admit it. She (and all the women) were written inconsistently when it came to their grit. That's what happens when you have multiple authors. But here, Uhura is ready to throw down. She really got to shine in the Mirror universe but I didn't share that picture because A) it's everywhere B) it's rather exploitive





I love that they did try to give her more depth much of which we owe to Nichelle herself. She was the one who gave Uhura the first name Nyota post series (upset that no one ever bothered during the show). When Uhura lost all her memories it was Nichelle who decided no, English is not her first language. She chose Swahili for Uhura.

Nichelle was more interested in music than acting in many ways from what I've read and heard her say. She was also partially why we see Uhura singing, dancing and playing music. I loved these little details (along with Sulu being a botany enthusiast which disappears after S1)

I love that the actors got to have some input in character development. Nichelle (George and Leonard) did especially well with hers.

I had something planned for this but my brain has flatlined so let me do this instead. Let me ask a question.

And this is more for the original fic authors out there, how do you (if you do) keep all the details straight for your characters and figure out their motivations? Me, I grew up with paper zine fandoms where you weren't allowed to have canon characters (Elfquest and Pern specifically and also there were various Starfleet Starships that were also ALL original characters) so we had character sheets so artists could take a stab at illustrating stories. I still use that form for keeping hair/eye color, height, tatts etc straight. I definitely need that.

When it comes to other sheets I have used SO many different ones. Some are incredibly time consuming. And I admit it characters will often go off course. Some times they aren't as helpful as you'd hope for but for me it's at least a starting place.

Like this one for my 1980s monster hunter characters. ( Meet Alessia )

And here's a different long one for a character I DO NOT REMEMBER. (I named one of my Flight Rising dragons after her though) Did I even write anything for her?!? ( it's also long )

What do you do? What makes your book bible? Feel free to share.


OPEN CALLS

Africanfuturism Short Stories Stories should be set in and about Africa – whether that’s a future Africa, an alternative Africa or a parallel Africa. Ideally, Science Fiction and positive stories are of interest

Wizard’s Tower Press Is Open To Novellas. Novellas to be combined – Fantasy and SF novellas, including steampunk, slipstream, weird, gothic and any other slippery genres you like, but categorically no full-blown horror

Choose Your Own Adventure Queer Horror Novellas Extremities: Choose Your Own Death is looking for Choose your own adventure queer horror novellas

Anomaly September 2025 Window 300-word science fiction stories

12 Magazines Seeking Microfiction

Inglenook: Now Seeking Submissions

DREAMLAND ANTHOLOGY cosmic horror for comic book artists

No Gods No Masters




From Around the Web

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From Betty

How to Use Exposition to Evoke Emotion

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From Dread to Delight: How to Host a Book Signing That Actually Works

How to Hire a Freelance Editor: What Every Writer Needs to Know.

7 Ways to Watch and Read More Intentionally

Didn't bother with the pool but at least it was only 80 today so that was nice. I was forced to park on the far end (away from where I usually go on 4th street in Steubenville) and that means I could see stories I can't while driving. To my surprise it was a cigar store, a book store and a boutique grocery. And I found out what the other building was (like the only new thing around) is the Pugliese Stem Academy, which is dedicated (starting last fall) to train local h.s. students to do science jobs in this area (which is HIGHLY depressed for the last 4 decades ever since steel failed).

I also heard two different people answering to the name Santino and one Angelo. And I finally found the 102 year old Italian restaurant I was looking for. Might have to hit it up for lunch.


Might have bought my first Halloween decorate for the year. I blame JK


Have some community recs (I'm missing one that I wanted to share but now can't remember)

emotion100 A drabble community based around emotions. (I decided to join, I'm losing my ability to write short again)

get_knitted Crafting, of all kinds

seasons_of_fandom -it's complicated so check out their profile page.

Not about my opinion of the rain. It can stop any time. Still no pool time (but at least no reports of more flooding back home. Also learned that the center of decorative arts (which I didn't know existed until today) in Lancaster OH has a star trek exhibit and I'll have a week to get to it before it ends when I get back home.

No, the thing I changed my mind about is Star Trek Lower Decks. As much as I don't like binge watching, I only have this access for a week. I'm up for half way thru S4 and I am enjoying it. It's fun. It's unapologetic in its call backs to ALL the Star Treks that proceeded it. And because it's animated they can get away with so much more than you can live action (and OMG the holodeck training with Beckett stuck with the simulated crew infected with that water virus that makes them horny and insane...) I am glad I took the suggestion to keep on watching. It's worth it.

And since this is my Fannish 50 - women of fandom let me give you my faves and it might not be who you think (or who the show intends)

I can't decide between T'ana and D'vana Tendi so you get a packaged deal which is fine because they're both medical/science.



Tendi is probably my favorite. For one it allows them to expand upon and flesh out the Orions who we barely saw in the shows and make her more than 'pheromones and sex' She's bubbly, she's smart, she's friendly to a fault but she's also secretly dangerous. I like her very much (and if I wanted to run around a con all day in green face I could do it. hmmm maybe a local one where I won't be there all day...)


And then there's Dr T'ana.



I love that they gave us one minor to major character (depending on episode) on the command crew side of things who is a completely new race (I think. Maybe they were in a book somewhere) ANd no it's not because she's a cat that I like her. She's Bones in female form but more. She's a skilled doctor.

At the end of the day, she's ME. She's medical. She's a grumpy bitch. She's unapologetically kinky (the things she does on that holodeck). We all know it if I were on a starfleet ship I would absolutely be the most likely to tell someone to go suck a bag of Borg dick. I know I could never tolerate the heat of wearing a furry mask at a con, not even a short one. Too bad because I'd love to cosplay her.


Here's my ladies together.


I'm trying to watch Sinners. I am bored but it's about to get violent so there we go. I do love the soundtrack.

I'm wondering what makes you keep reading a book if you don't like the protagonist because they're obnoxious (question brought to you by my aunt acting out yesterday and embarrassing everyone because she IS the definition of a Karen. Glad I missed it).

I'm sure the answer to this is 'it depends' but I'm curious as to what makes you look past a protagonist you don't like for me it's either the plot is cool or the supporting characters are interesting. Case in point Fruits Basket I could not stand that Mary Sue of a protagonist Tohru Honda (shocked that I still remember her name) but the members of the Zodiac and Cat were intriguing enough for me to read on.

How do you handle writing a character that people will probably not like?


OPEN CALL


Merganser Magazine Work that transcends disciplines and genres

Samjoko Magazine Fall 2025 Window Any genre of fiction

Deadly Duos: Funfair Funfair (carnivals, travelling fayres, amusement parks, and all adjacent topics)

Augur is open to Novelettes and Novellas Speculative literature with lush worlds, complex characters, riveting relationships, incisive commentary, impeccable craft



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Just as I was finishing this post, the browser freaked and lost the post. Usually that's not a problem. DW saves a draft. This time it did not. UGh

I did get to go to Bacon Jam today, that new restaurant. Had a honey chili crisp bacon grilled cheese with a bit of soup. It was good, real good. The latte was less exciting.


Let's get to the fannish stuff and since SDCC is going on there's plenty but before that I could use some help. I got another comment_bingo card and I have two tough ones, romantic fandom and a story from a rec list. Anyone have either for me (I could probably pull the rec list from some of you who do challenges and put up stories but man, romantic?!?)

( SDCC YT announcements )


And here's my story. Maybe someone will like it

Title: Maybe He’s No Romeo


Summary: Knowing he only has a short window of time before Valentino’s respawned, Angel desperately wants to go to a certain overlord’s mansion filled with all the best booze and sex toys. Boosting his brother’s car, Angel heads to Husker’s for a day of fun.

Rating: explicit

Notes: Written for the summer of the 69 challenge for the prompt of sopping wet 69 and for spikesgirl58’s six word challenge. The six words were Jail, Invite Ladder, Drive, Drug & Parallel. It’s also written for the allbingo prompt of midnight kiss as well as the lyrical titles album challenge 2025 .I’m using the Footloose album and the song this time is Let's Hear It for the Boy by Deniece Williams.


This is a sequel to my unconventional courtship story, Dandelion which you can read here. if you’d like. All you need to know if you’re not in the mood for longer fic is Husker is the gambling overlord known for throwing wild sex parties and he and Angel had to team up to keep Charlie safe from a delusional sinner. This sequel is an unapologetic PWP.

( story at the link above or under here )


And the fannish recs

first up my friend lordgloria's comic Havoc Inc




Party, Interrupted Teen Wolf


Blood Ties Hazbin Hotel

Every Witch Way The Owl House


Hell On Earth Torchwood


Quick To Anger Babylon 5

Nidification The Owl House

Between the sea and the shore The Murderbot Diaries

Small Kindnesses Buffy the Vampire Slayer


Well-Behaved Torchwood

Don't Get Mad... Stargate Atlantis/Real Genius

Party, Interrupted Teen Wolf

Teach an Old Snake New Tricks Hazbin Hotel

Today was going to be me, Mom and my Sister in law going out to Bacon Jam a new restaurant in McDonald. We get there and the power is out in the town...are you frakking kidding? We even go to another restaurant a few miles out, still out. Why? No clue, the weather is fine and it hasn't been hot enough to brown out.

And in talking to SiL about the Wheeling Italian fest and the ONLY parking for 100K in people is one parking garage, even arriving early isn't going to much help as the garage is tiny plus it's meant to be nearly 100 this weekend. Hard pass. I'll go to the Italian fest in Columbus again over Indigenous Peoples day.

So many celebrities have gone this week, Malcolm Jamal Werner, Ozzy Osbourne, Chuck Mangione and Hulk Hogan and I'll be honest I had a poster of Hulk back in the 80s but I haven't paid the least bit of attention to wrestling/wrestlers in 30 years so today I learned how much people hated him and why (yeah I see their point. Sigh, yet another one I liked turned out to be an asshole) Even read something Andre the Giant had to say about Hulk. Leave it as it was not pretty. This is why I don't invest much into celebrity.

But have an Ozzy song that seems to be where I am right now.



And it's community rec time (all dreamwidth)

This is brand new community. I'm debating it (not sure i need another one on writing but it might be interesting. I'll at least know several of them) fan_writers A community for meta about writing.


I figure if several people on my flist aren't already members, they might be interested paradisediner a place to chat about kpop


Along the lines of the first rec we have writethisfanfic Helping fanfic writer hopefuls.


And for those who love writing original characters into fanon there's fandomocweekly A weekly prompt community for fandom OCs